Solar panel questions again
I have a good friend that is a camp host all summer in Wyoming. Next year he wants to get a solar panel setup for his bumper pull camper. I don’t know enough to help him get started. He is running 2...
Forum Discussion
Risking becoming repetitive, again - start with choosing panels. Cut a cardboard template the size of a panel and see how it fits. 250W panels are all 39"x65". 100W panels sizes could vary.
2 250-280W panels = cheaper panels and more expensive controller (~$200 in your case).
5 small 100W panels = more money for panels, cheaper controller, and you will need a junction box, beefy cables and more mounting brackets. Home Depot have 100W panels and Grape 40 controller for it.
Forget about kits, their total wattage is low and included controllers are bottom quality. You want at least 400W for reliable full-time living, especially with microwave. The kit in the Mex link is "almost" enough, but included 20A controller is a nondescript box of Ebay variety, brackets are no good and cable might not be long enough. If money is a problem, get that kit and keep your fingers crossed that limitations of the included parts won't be too serious. If you go this route, and are stationary all summer, - make your own brackets for tilting panels to the sun. Then this kit should be enough.
2 250-280W panels = cheaper panels and more expensive controller (~$200 in your case).
5 small 100W panels = more money for panels, cheaper controller, and you will need a junction box, beefy cables and more mounting brackets. Home Depot have 100W panels and Grape 40 controller for it.
Forget about kits, their total wattage is low and included controllers are bottom quality. You want at least 400W for reliable full-time living, especially with microwave. The kit in the Mex link is "almost" enough, but included 20A controller is a nondescript box of Ebay variety, brackets are no good and cable might not be long enough. If money is a problem, get that kit and keep your fingers crossed that limitations of the included parts won't be too serious. If you go this route, and are stationary all summer, - make your own brackets for tilting panels to the sun. Then this kit should be enough.
